Biodiesel Fuel

Biodiesel fuel is a form of alternative energy that has been developed to produce energy through the use of various natural substances. These substances include soybeans, rapeseed, mustard, flax, canola, palm oil, and hemp. Biodiesel fuel is said to reduce the harmful emissions that are placed within the environment through gasoline powered engines, and is also said to reduce the damage that is caused to engines. Transesterification is the process by which the biodiesel fuel is created and leaves behind methyl esters and glycerin.

Here is a chart demonstrating the process of Transesterification.

While the following diagram shows the transesterification of vegetable oils.

It is believed that these two burn cleaners into the air than normal petroleum diesel. In comparison to diesel fuel all of the emissions released have been reduced except the nitrogen oxides that are produced. There have however been flaws that have contributed to researchers deciding that maybe biodiesel fuel is not an effective means of alternative energy. For instance, Texas has decided to ban biodiesel fuel on the grounds that it produces harmful nitrogen oxide emissions that assist in the production of ozone at the ground level. Biodiesel has however been the only fuel to past the emission test that is required by the Environmental Protection Agency to pass the Clean Air Act. This form of fuel does however lower the emissions of carbon monoxide, particulate matter, as well was unburned hydrocarbons. One concern that is also associated with biodiesel fuel is that it will cost more than petroleum diesel fuel will. With gas prices already being as high as they are, people are not going to want to pay more to fuel their vehicles. However, the prices are higher because there is not as high of demand for biodiesel fuel. As the demand starts to increase, the prices as well will decrease because it will become a more popular form of energy. Although biodiesel will cost more to fuel vehicles, this is the cheapest form that has been developed as an alternative form of energy. There are not many modifications that are required in using biodiesel fuel. For instance, it could be currently used in any petroleum diesel engine, however there may be deposits that are released due to the deposits that have gathered up on the lining of the tank walls from the petroleum diesel.


Another reason that biodiesel fuel would be very beneficial, is that it would use resources that are located within the United States. For instance, biodiesel will not require the importation of petroleum to be used, and can instead be used for the natural resources that are created by farmers without our country. The money that will be used will be going back into the U.S. economy and therefore, benefiting our country in other ways as well.


I found a movie that goes into further detail about how Biodiesel fuel is formed by telling exactly how biodiesel works?